DAMBULLA: Mohammad Hafeez smashed 103 off 95 balls after rattling Sri Lanka with a career-best 4-41 to lead Pakistan to a convincing six-wicket victory Saturday in the first of five one-day internationals.
Needing 256 to win, Hafeez came in at No. 3 and recorded his 10th one-day century in his 162nd match. He hit four sixes and 10 boundaries to help seal Sri Lanka’s victory with 28 balls to spare.
Hafeez shared 58 runs with Babar Azam (25) for the third wicket and 75 with Shoaib Malik who made an unbeaten 55 off 45 balls.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Azhar Ali won the toss and made Sri Lanka bat at Dambulla Stadium. Dinesh Chandimal top scored with an unbeaten 65 to give the home side a competitive 255-8.
Hafeez’ four-wicket haul surpassed his previous best of 3-17 against Bangladesh from 12 years ago.
He dismissed Sri Lanka openers Kusal Perera (26) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (38), along with Upul Tharanga (20) and Thisara Perera (1).
Chandimal’s 14th one-day half century came off 68 deliveries, including a six and five boundaries.
Dilshan and captain Angelo Mathews, who also made 38, got good starts but failed to convert into big scores.
Sri Lanka slipped to 118-4 but Chandimal and Mathews prevented a slide with an 82-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Newcomer Milinda Siriwardana made a brisk 22 off 21 deliveries to help Sri Lanka accelerate in the last overs.
Seamer Rahat Ali also took two wickets for Pakistan.--AFP